The key(s) to not getting banned
by Eric Vice 
Sep 25th 2007 at 1:00PM
Just yesterday in fact, I was at my local computer store after having a bite of lunch to make my semi-regular browse of their wares. One of the items I saw that screamed "Buy me! Please!" was a Zboard Fang. I'd seen them at EB before, but they were always hanging on a rung so high you'd have to be Michael Jordan standing on the back of a Tauren to reach them. These Fangs were close enough to the ground for a gnome to reach so I picked up the box and had a look. I am definitely a keyboard guy. I hardly ever use the mouse at all – except to click totems on occasion with my shaman. The allure of the Fang and it's programmability was strong though. I only set it down and walked away when I started to think about how long it would take me to get used to it.
Today while following a story tip, I found a proverbial bee's nest of forum activity about one of the Fang's competitors, the Logitech G15. Although the G15 has a full QWERTY keyboard and and adds a programmable LCD display, it's core function and purpose is the same. It allows you to define programmable keys for in-game functions.
The question arises (and has arisen many, many, many times before) whether these products are legal for in-game use. The answer from more than one blue poster in the previous link is: "YES! They are legal!" Blizzard draws the line between right and wrong not at what keyboard (or accessory) you use, but what you use it for. A button to open your bags is not going to get your account banned. A timed macro to run around in a circle and kill everything in your path while you watch Twister in the next room will get you banned, because you're essentially "botting" at that point. The line seems to be drawn between attended and unattended play, but common sense is clearly the watch word here.
What other hardware input device toys do you use in your day-to-day play? What do you think about these Zboard and Logitech products that are marketed so aggressively to the MMOG market? Your comments are key!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cheats, Odds and ends, Features
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Andrew Sep 25th 2007 1:07PM
I use the G15 keyboard, I love all the features it gives me to use
Heartless_ Sep 25th 2007 1:22PM
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=157024
10000000x better.
Cramer Sep 25th 2007 1:25PM
I own a fang keyboard, picked it up from my local EB games. It took about a week to get used to it, but because my desk is small i can now fit both the keyboard and mouse on the keyboard tray. I recommend it to anyone that has the extra 50 bucks or whatever to blow.
Nails Sep 25th 2007 1:27PM
ive been kicking ass and taking names with this thing for years now:
http://nion.modprobe.de/bimg/keyboard.jpg
sheesh
Sylythn Sep 25th 2007 1:29PM
Honestly, I've found little to no use for the G-keys on the G15.
You can't put WoW script in them, so you have to write your macros/scripts in WoW, bind them to a key combo, and then bind the key combo to the G key. What you can script in the G keys is so situational, that I don't like using it. I might want Step 3 to be one thing in one in-game situation and another thing in another situation - the G15 doesn't have the visibility to let me consider those options. They also suffer from the same problem I've had with all macro-key keyboards...you can't tell what you've got linked to each one, and I'd rather not waste 18 bar slots making a visual representation of my G-keys on screen just so I don't have to memorize 8 different combinations for 8 different characters or play-styles. Oh for main stream OLED macro keys...
The LCD on the other hand, is wonderful - the WoW interface for viewing stats and especially durability is nice, and the Ventrilo addon is fantastic.
Squee88 Sep 25th 2007 2:01PM
Same as #2, n52 4tw
The Big Stu Sep 26th 2007 9:05AM
Saitek pro gamer command unit. Check it out.
Bryan Sep 25th 2007 1:38PM
I absolutely love Ideazon/ZBoard and all their products. I own both the Merc (http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/mercgamingkeyboard.asp) and the Reaper gaming mouse (http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/reapergamingmouse.asp). They are incredible assests to my game play. I'm a casusal gamer and I still get great benefits from them. I love the mouse because it has 3 thumb buttons on the left that can be mapped to whatever you like. They are worth the money.
april8th Sep 25th 2007 1:35PM
I've been using a Belkin (nostromo) N52 pad for some time. The only drawback from it is the reason it is most likely going to be replaced soon. Products like the fang, have way more assignable keys which I find is the only drawback for the n52. I also wish my mouse had a few more assignable buttons :-)
rich Sep 25th 2007 1:47PM
I used the Nostromo N52 pad for while. I got it for the ability to make macros and for having alot of keys in one place.
I ended up giving it to my brother because it was uncomfortable to use. I have giant hands and it was way too small.
I just stick with my keyboard now, until I get the time to hack together my own keyboard.
Valenna Sep 25th 2007 1:52PM
Nothing beats a Nostromo. Can't play without it! http://parrydodgespin.blogspot.com/2007/04/rogue-nostromo.html
Seppe Sep 25th 2007 1:56PM
For grinding and farming, nothing is quite as fun as using my Alienware PS2 controller (http://www.alienware.com/GearShop_Pages/Gear_Shop_Detail.aspx?ItemId=16152&CatId=1150).
Picked up Pinnacle Game Profiler and got the right joystick mapped to the mouse, plopped a trigger to shift, and that thing gives me more buttons than I need for everyday play.
Jason McLeod Sep 25th 2007 3:25PM
I use a wireless 360 controller and some custom software that I now maintain.
Works like a charm, plus let's me lean back and play. I hardly ever touch the mouse or keyboard (unless chatting) yay 2.2 patch no more typing.
Hasselhof Sep 25th 2007 2:04PM
@4
qft simplicity is beautiful
msdruid1 Sep 25th 2007 2:51PM
I use both a Nostromo N52 and the WoW Ideazon/ZBoard. There was about a 3 day learning curve with the N52, but after that.. I can't imagine playing without it.
Queuetip Sep 25th 2007 2:12PM
I used to use incredibly simple EZMouse program to mine ore all day on a boat in UO.
Baluki Sep 25th 2007 2:16PM
I think it's funny that Microsoft calls its new line of gaming keyboards "Reclusa".
Unfortunately, I won't use anything that isn't ergonomic.
Gill Sep 25th 2007 2:23PM
I have the G15 paired with a G5 mouse. Love that KB/M combo!
Aurochs Sep 25th 2007 3:01PM
Now see, what I look for in a keyboard is a good solid click, and the ability to bludgeon someone to death with it then go back to typing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ModelM.jpg
Imogynn Sep 25th 2007 2:53PM
"I used the Nostromo N52 pad for while. I got it for the ability to make macros and for having alot of keys in one place.
I ended up giving it to my brother because it was uncomfortable to use. I have giant hands and it was way too small."
The Nostromo N52 is great!! Get one... you'll think it sucks for about 12 hours played and then you'll realize that it just made everything sooo much easier.
As for the hand thing... you don't have bigger hands than me.
There is a very poorly documented ability to adjust the position of the palmrest. You can pull the palm rest straight up and it pops off (and its meant too... like I said it just isn't documented); it was sticky on mine so it'll probably be on yours too. There are four pins that hold it in place... those pins come set in the first four holes.
There is a 2nd set of holes behind the first set and you'll end up moving the palmrest about an inch and a half back from where it is when you opened it.